Not Going to Extremes in Decorating the House

In many people's houses nowadays there are all kinds of ornaments and decorations, because of their indulging in leisure and being too attached to this world, and their desire to boast and show off.

When you enter some homes, you are reminded of the words of Ibn ‘Abbaas: “In Paradise there is nothing of the things of this world except the names.” We have no room in this brief discussion to go into detail about all the weird and wonderful antiques, decorations, ornaments and engravings with which some homes and palaces are adorned, but we will mention the following.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And were it not that all mankind would have become one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stairways, etc. of silver), whereby they ascend. And for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,

And ornaments of gold…” [Surah al-Zukhruf, 43:33-35].

i.e., were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that being given wealth was a sign of being loved by Allah, which would lead to all of them becoming kaafirs for the sake of wealth, Allah could have given them roofs and staircases and locks of silver and gold from the pleasures of this world, then when they died they would have no hasanah (good deeds) to their credit, because they had already taken their share of pleasure in this world. (Ibn Katheer, Tafseer al-Qur’an al-‘Azeem, 7/213).

Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) reported from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out on a military campaign, and she took a velvet rug and covered the doorway with it. When he came back and saw the rug, she could see from his face that he was upset. He ripped it down and said, “Allah has not commanded us to cover stones and clay with cloth!” (Reported by Saheeh Muslim , 3/1666).

Imam Ahmad reported the story of Fatimah, when they had made some food and she said to ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), “Why don’t we invite the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to join us?” So he came, and put his hands on the sides of the door, and saw a qaraam (a garment made of soft wool, with colourful designs), so he went away. Fatimah said to ‘Ali, “Go and catch up with him, and ask him, ‘Why did you go away, O Messenger of Allah?’” [The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] said, “It is not right for me (according to another report: it is not right for a Prophet) to enter a decorated house.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 5/221; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2411).

It was also reported by Abu Dawood under the heading: Rajul yud’aa fa yaraa makroohan (when a man is invited and sees something disliked). (Reported by Sunan Abi Dawood, 3755).

Under the heading, Hal yurja’ idhaa ra’a munkaran fi’l-da’wah? (should he go back if he sees something objectionable in Dawah?), al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) reported that Ibn ‘Umar invited Abu Ayyoob, and he saw a wall-hanging in the house. Ibn ‘Umar said, “The women are having their way.” Abu Ayyoob said, “There are people I was worried about, but you were not one of them! By Allah, I will never touch your food.” Then he went away. (Fath al-Baari, 9/249).

Imam Ahmad reported the same story from Saalim ibn ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar, who said: “I got married during my father’s lifetime, and my father announced it to the people, and Abu Ayyoob was one of the invited guests. They had covered my house with a striped green cloth, and Abu Ayyoob came and looked at it, then he said, “Are you covering the walls?” My father felt embarrassed, and said, ‘Women are having their way, O Abu Ayyoob.’ He said, ‘Of all the people I feared would be taken over by the women…’” (Reported by Fath al-Baari).

Al-Tabaraani reported from Abu Juhayfah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You will have a lot of worldly riches, so much so that you will cover your homes with cloth as the Ka’bah is covered. You are better today than you will be on that day.” (Reported by Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3614).

In brief, what the scholars say about ornamentation and decoration of houses is that it is either makrooh or haraam. (al-Aadaab al-Shar’iyyah by Ibn Muflih, 3/421).